Gambling Commission to Close Advisory Board for Safer Gambling

The Gambling Commission is to replace the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) with a more research-focused organisation.

The British regulator introduced the ABSG to oversee the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, which was established in 2019 ahead of the Commission’s recommendations for the Gambling White Paper, and concluded in 2022.

With the strategy having completed its remit, the Commission has decided to close the ABSG, focusing on new arrangements aligned to its next phase of research and regulation. The Commission is now set to begin putting together a new expert group to support further research into gambling harm.

Statutory levy introduction part of ABSG’s legacy

The ABSG supported the introduction of the statutory levy, which came into effect in April this year, requiring UK operators to make contributions towards the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms, ranging from 0.1% to 1.1% of gross gambling yield, dependent on the sector. The levy is set to generate an estimated £100 million for the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms.

How the levy is funded

Operators have already begun paying into the levy, with 50% of all funding generated going directly to NHS England and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales.

A total of 30% of the levy funding goes towards investment in the prevention of gambling harm, such as national public health campaigns and training for frontline staff. The remaining 20% of funding is being directed to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Gambling Commission to develop bespoke research programmes on gambling.

The ABSG also played a part in the creation of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel, which provides independent advice based on its members’ personal lived experience of gambling harm.

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Commission explains its decision

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Commission, said: “ABSG has played an important role in shaping how we think about gambling harms, and embedding lived experience perspectives into regulation. I want to thank all current and former members for their contribution and commitment.

“As we move into a new phase with the implementation of research programmes funded by the statutory levy, our priority is to ensure we have the right expert input to help inform our work. This is the right time to close ABSG and establish new arrangements that reflect the future needs of our gambling regulation and research.”

Helen Child, the ABSG’s Head of Governance, said: “ABSG have made a huge contribution to gambling regulation and the Commission. I am grateful for the insight, engagement and challenge each and every member has provided.”

GambleAware also on the way out

The transition to the new statutory gambling harms system led to an announcement in July about the managed closure of gambling harms charity GambleAware, which will take place by March 31, 2026.

What this all means

It is unclear as to how exactly the ABSG will be replaced, or what exact research the new organisation will be undertaking. However, it is perhaps not a great surprise the ABSG has reached the end of its lifecycle, as the White Paper was published in 2023 and the levy is now in place. New regulations could play a key role in whatever the new research body will be looking into.